AAS 97-707
STARDUST MISSION DESIGN
E.A. Hirst and C.L. Yen - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Abstract
STARDUST is a sample return mission from the NASA Discovery Program. Launched in February 1999 on a Delta II (7426), the spacecraft will carry an aerogel dust collector able to achieve non-destructive capture of hypervelocity particles. In January 2004, the spacecraft will flyby the nucleus of comet Wild-2 at 6.1 km/s and 150 km. Bonus science is planned via comet imaging, collection of interstellar dust, and in-situ compositional analysis of particles. Upon Earth return in January 2006, a sample return capsule will separate from the spacecraft bus, enter the atmosphere and land in Utah with the aid of a parachute.